Tankless water heaters are becoming more common in homes across America. You may have seen one on your favorite home improvement show, or heard a friend or neighbor talking about having one installed. While tankless water heaters have been commonplace in Japan and some other areas of the world for decades, they are only gaining widespread acceptance in the US in recent years.
Advantages of Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless water heaters have several advantages in comparison to conventional water heaters with a tank:
- Infinite hot water. With a tankless water heater you will never run out of hot water. It doesn’t matter if two people need to shower at the same time, each will have hot water. Like running the laundry, dishwasher and taking a bath all at the same time? A tankless water heater can handle your needs.
- Energy Savings. With a tankless heater you only heat water when you need it, not when you don’t. If you live alone or use less hot water than the average household, a tankless water heater could save you money. Are you away from home frequently? Why keep an entire tank of water heated when you don’t need to?
- Space Savings. For small spaces tankless water heaters can’t be beat! Most models are so tiny they can be located in the back of a closet or out of the way on a wall, where they have virtually no impact on your square footage. This makes tankless heaters a particularly attractive option for small apartments, condos and tiny homes where every square inch counts.
- Safety. The biggest risk with conventional water heaters is a leaking tank. Water leaks caused by tank failure result in millions of dollars worth of property damage every year. Even a small leak can lead to extensive damage as well as mold and mildew growth caused by wet conditions. A tankless water heater simply does not have the same risk factors. Although you will want to check the pipes coming and going from the unit, the risk of these leaking is similar to the water pipes leading to your sink or shower. The damage risk is much less than with a conventional hot water tank. If you live in an area prone to earthquakes, there is always the risk of a water tank falling over during a shake. This simply can’t happen with a tankless model.
Things to Consider
If you are considering a tankless water heater for your space there are many aspects to weigh, including:
- Is an electric or gas heater best for your situation?
- What size tankless heater is most appropriate for your needs?
- Who will do the installation? You may need both a plumber as well as an electrician to help with this project. You’ll want to make sure you choose licensed professionals to make sure the job is done right.
Tankless Water Heater Installation
OHM Electrical Contracting has licensed and insured electricians ready to help you with the electrical side of your tankless water heater installation. We are accustomed to working with other contractors, so can work seamlessly with your plumber or other professionals on the job
Contact OHM today to get a free estimate for your project.
